Pioneer brings Bluetooth streaming, 3D-readiness to VSX-520-K and VSX-820-K receivers

It's not like your two ears really need 7.1 channels of audio, but what your home theater does need is simplicity and an eagerness to support the third dimension. In truth, we can only safely say that those beliefs are shared by Pioneer, who has today introduced a new pair of 5.1 AV receivers that offer Bluetooth streaming, HDMI 1.4 and an unmistakable "3D ready" label. There's also the obligatory Works with iPhone certification on the VSX-820-K, which enables it to transfer iPod navigation control and on-screen graphics from the remote back to the Apple device. Outside of that, most everything else is identical between the two, as they each offer five channels of 110 watts, at least 3 HDMI sockets and rather reasonable price tags. Speaking of, you'll be asked to pay $229 for the 520 and $299 for the 820 when they splash down later this month.

[HaZaRd Posted Mar 1st 2010 11:33PM]

I'd love to grab a new receiver, but nothing these days comes with a phono preamp anymore! Any suggestions for an HDMI-capable receiver that's also got component, composite, and S-Video inputs along with a phono preamp? I'm not picky at all... :)

[emopoops Posted Mar 2nd 2010 12:11AM]

@HaZaRd true blootooth gadgets dont come with cords.

[Information Central Posted Mar 2nd 2010 7:07AM]

Just shell out the $100 for a good preamp, like the Cambridge Audio. There are probably cheaper ones that'll get the job done if you're not going for archival quality.

Beware of the Pioneer receivers, though. As is typical these days, the "reviews" fail to mention glaring design flaws. For example, You can't assign the digital inputs freely to any of the sources. Some are simply blocked. Some are hard-coded to the HDMI inputs, and then there are other inputs called "HDMI". As in Blu-Ray, DVD, TV/SAT, TUNER, HDMI. Uh, you're supposed to assign the HDMI ports to the other labeled inputs (as in the TV/SAT signal comes in on HDMI 1). Having a source called "HDMI" is like having sources called "RCA jack".

If you have a DVD-Audio or SACD player with multichannel analog outputs, you can connect them but you can't assign them to any of the sources. I've never seen this defect before. WTF?

Some sources are missing from the remote control, like Auxiliary.

Then there's the idiocy of having the only iPod/USB connector on the FRONT. Wow, that's a nice-looking receiver, with a wire hanging out the front of it all the time. And to top it off, it's not even a sliding door that exposes the port; it's a plastic cover that you pry out and then have to put somewhere. They should have at least put an additional USB port on the BACK, so you could just plug your dock in and leave it on top of the receiver.

The receiver's HDMI output doesn't check the resolution of the monitor you hook up and then deliver an appropriate signal. It delivers only 480i. Yes, INTERLACED. Think you're going to turn that extra computer monitor into a versatile video display? NOPE. Try plugging in an HD Cinema Display. You'll get a nice blank screen while you're trying to run through the setup menus.

Let's see, what else? Ah, no input-selector buttons on the front of the receiver, which Pioneers had in the past. You have to turn a dial and go through an entire list (while reading the text on the display) to select a source from the receiver. WTF, there are only so many physical inputs on the thing. Put a button on the front for each one. Hell, they don't even show a list on the display with a pointer, so at least you'd know you're turning the dial the right way to get from one source to another.

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:04PM]

@Information Central

Most of what you just said is false.

[jdeath Posted Mar 4th 2010 3:11AM]

@emopoops The iPod/iPhone isn't sending the audio through bluetooth, genius. Just because the receiver supports bluetooth audio, doesn't mean it can't support accessing the iPod directly. If you connect through bluetooth, then you can't control the iPod from the receiver, can't view artwork on the screen, run through the battery faster than sh**, not to mention that bluetooth audio sounds horrible, especially through nice speakers. Also, the iPod cord allows it to output video, not just audio.

@Information Central what are you smoking? Can I get some? I'm afraid that I agree with @BigJayDogg3, almost none of what you say makes any sense at all. If you don't like having the USB iPod cord in the front, then go buy a different brand of receiver and pay an extra $100+ for an iPod dock that only works with that receiver, be my guest. That's personal preference. But, WTF are you talking about when you say it only outputs 480i? Pioneer receivers output 1080p! And you can assign the digital inputs however you want. Perhaps you should read a manual, sometime......

[iName Posted Mar 1st 2010 11:35PM]

sounds good. we're redoing our entire entertainment setup and i need a new receiver....

[maythetechbewithyou Posted Mar 1st 2010 11:50PM]

I may still get a Yamaha

[HansImGlueck Posted Mar 2nd 2010 12:18AM]

It's not like your two eyes really need 3D - duh!

[raaaaaa Posted Mar 2nd 2010 12:27AM]

is it me or is this kinda cheap $?

[thinkthis Posted Mar 2nd 2010 12:37AM]

I hate myself for owning the 1019 and not the inevitable 1020

These prices are identical to their predecessors. So no "3D" premium.

[tim916 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 1:59AM]

Actually your two ears do need 7.1 (or at least 5.1) channels of audio for surround sound to work properly.

[slacker99 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 2:03AM]

The article should include the fact that the Bluetooth Adapter (AS-BT100) is sold separately for $99.

[shishi Posted Mar 2nd 2010 2:19AM]

Did they have to photoshop an iPhone in there (and everywhere else)? Jesus! (And the irony of using the most closed platform in the electronics industry to attach it to everything ha-ha)